Download bSCAN — a compact and advanced TLC Radio

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
bSCAN — a compact and advanced TLC Radio
Chromatography Instrument
INTRODUCTION
The bSCAN is a compact and advanced instrument designed to perform Thin Layer Radio-Chromatography (TLC). Radiochromatography is an analytical technique that allows the identification and quantization of different compounds in a
radioactive mixture. Particularly, Radio TLC is a well established method in Nuclear Medicine laboratories for fast and
accurate assessments in quality control (QC) of the radioactive pharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine procedures. The
technique is also widely used by the labeling laboratories and radiopharmaceutical producers.
The in-vivo behavior of the radiopharmaceuticals is dependent upon their quality, which today demands high standards
of “radionuclidic”, “radiochemical” and “chemical purity” or particle sizing of the suspensions in the labeled
compound. Radiopharmaceuticals must comply with both radiation and pharmaceutical standards in order to ensure
their efficacious use and the imaging quality while minimizing the radiation hazard to the patients.
By using this single instrument, laboratories can test for two parameters of the QA/QC process, namely the radiochemical and radionuclidic purity.
The bSCAN comes with an advanced, intuitive and modern software. The software guides the user to perform both analyses in an easy and natural way.
The bSCAN instrument is compact in size and contains state-of-the art components, such as a fully-digital multichannelanalyzer (MCA) and a precise and well-shielded NaI(Tl) detector that provides superior energy resolution and therefore
better radionuclide identification. The instrument uses a standard USB connection to communicate with the PC.
COMPONENTS
The bSCAN instrument is composed by the following components:

The scanner instrument, which integrates:

A fully programmable displacement unit—scanner.

A NaI(Tl) scintillator detector, typical 1 x 1 inch crystal size. The detector is placed inside a properly shielded scanning head with a changeable set of collimators.

A compact and digital multichannel analyzer (MCA).

The bSCAN software.

A controlling PC (optional).
HARDWARE COMPONENTS
The bSCAN is a fully-programmable and therefore controllable scanner. Its main function is to sweep the detector across
the chromatogram strip using a preset speed, as well as to accurately position the detector head at any point above the
strip. The scanning motor allows a wide range of speeds, and as such the scanning speed can be set automatically from the
desired scanning time. Routine instrument functions like parking, advance to start-up position and return to standby are
all done automatically without user intervention. A reset button is provided on the front panel of the instrument allowing
manual abort and reset operations to be done at any time.
The place that holds the strip holder is engraved 5 mm deep into the base plate of the scanner. The engraving place is
50 mm wide and 210 mm long, accepting therefore any strip-holder within these dimensions. A ruler is conveniently fixed
along the scanning path of the instrument.
At the top of the front panel several controls and buttons are provided for quick and simple instrument operations. From
left to right there is: the On/Off switch, which includes a backlight that shows the power status, then a button for Manual
scan, and a Reset button. With the Manual scan button the scanner can be operated without the need of a controlling PC,
in this case the scanning speed is fixed to approximately 0.5 cm/sec. The Reset buttons aborts any scan in progress and
moves the head to the standby position. Additionally, the front panel has a blue LED that indicates when the scanner is
busy; and a red LED that lights when the High Voltage for the detector is On.
FEATURES
 Performs both
radiochemical and
radionuclidic purity
analysis using a single
instrument
 Implements radio-TLC and
energy spectrum
acquisition and analysis
 Compact instrument with a
size of (WxHxD) 38 cm x
35 cm x 25 cm
 Uses a NaI(Tl) detector
properly shielded against
background radiation with
two sets of changeable
collimators. A plastic
detector can be used as
well for PET
radiopharmaceuticals
 Variable and automatic
scanning speeds
 Modern and intuitive
software for performing
both analysis and setting
or checking the status of
the instrument
 Automatic saving of the
spectrum for convenient
latter review
 Automatic energy
spectrum analysis with
nuclide identification
 Software settings can be
changed to satisfy user
preferences
 Colorful and customizable
measurement reports
Detector
The bSCAN is standard offered with a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector which provides higher energy resolution compared to
similar instruments in the market. The typical detector crystal size is 1x1 inches (2.54 x 2.54 centimeters) which is ideal for
high counting efficiency and not-so-high background. The detector is mounted on a well collimated head. The detector shielding is machined in lead (Pb) and has thickness of 10 mm (0.4 inc.) on its thinner parts. On the bottom part (front of the detector) a collimator shield piece is installed. Two collimation pieces are provided: one with aperture of approx. 1 mm (0.04 inches) and another with 3 mm. (0.12 inches). The collimators are fixed with just two screws and thus can be easily exchanged.
MCA
The bSCAN integrates a compact and yet very powerful multichannel analyzer (MCA) for the analysis of all electronic pulses
originating from the scintillator detector. The MCA is integrated into the instrument itself, this arrangement also reduces the
number of connecting cables and therefore minimizes parasitic noise signals. The MCA is digital and provides superior signal
processing capabilities, improving energy resolution and spectrum stability in terms of long standing operations and high
count rates.
The MCA operates in two modes: Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS) used for TLC data acquisition, and Pulse-Height Analysis
(PHA) which is used for the energy spectrum analysis. The bSCAN software makes full use of both modes and provides superior possibilities, like easy energy calibration or narrow-window TLC counting.
The MCA can be set to acquire a spectrum of up
to 4k (4096) channels in both acquisition
modes. Each acquisition mode (PHA or MCS)
can have its own independent spectrum storage
length.
SOFTWARE DETAILS
An important part of the instrument is the software. The bSCAN software allows to carry-out
all the complexity of both radiopharmaceutical
analyses in a fast and intuitive way.
To summarize, the following basic functions,
among many, are performed by the bSCAN
software:


Control of the displacement of the detector
over the sample (strip) at a selected speed.
Instrument (and individual components)
setup, including energy calibration of the
detector.

Data acquisition of Chromatogram (TLC).

Data acquisition for energy spectrum analysis.

Spectrum visualization and analysis for both acquisition modes. Automatic nuclide identification of the
energy spectra.

Automatic spectrum storage into files.

Automatic HTML-compatible report generation.

User-defined setup, GUI and operational parameters

Re-analysis of stored files.
The software runs under MS Windows, and is compatible
with 32-bit and 64-bits processors.
Waterfront Researchpark
Galileilaan 18
B-2845, Niel
BELGIUM
Phone: +32-(0)3-844 95 86
Fax: +32-(0)3-844 95 86
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
BRIGHTSPEC
is a dynamic engineering
company providing novel
designs and innovative solutions
in the field of nuclear electronics
and software development for
radiation detection.
BrightSpec N.V.
Waterfront Researchpark
Galileilaan 18
B-2845, Niel
BELGIUM
Phone: +32-(0)3-844 95 86
Fax: +32-(0)3-844 95 86
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

TLC Scanner

MODEL: bSCAN-TLC201

DIMENSIONS (WxHxD): 38 x 35 x 25 cm
(15 x 13.7 x 9.8 in.)

WEIGHT: 8.5 kg (19 lbs)

POWER SUPPLY: 24 Volts, an external
AC/DC power converter for 100-240 Volts
is supplied.

FUSES: 2 Amps, user-changeable.

SCAN AREA: Strips of max 50 x 210 mm
(2.0 x 8.3 in.)

SCAN SPEED:
COLLIMATION: Set of two (2) of 20 mmthick (0.8 in.) lead (Pb) with apertures of 1
mm (0.08 in) and 3 mm (0.12 in.)
SPECTROMETER

MCA TYPE: BrightSpec Topaz-Pico digital
MCA, inside the instrument enclosure

ACQUISITION MODES:

PHA (from 256 up to 4098 channels)

MCS (from 256 up to 4098 channels).

DWELL TIMES— From 0.1 s to 24 hrs
with 0.1 s resolution
DATA COMMUNICATION: USB (2.0)

Automatic, from 0.1 to 2 cm/sec.


Fixed to ~ 0.5 cm/s (0.2 in/s) when
using Manual scan mode
Software

SCANNER CONTROL: via USB connection. USB-B port connector on the back of
the instrument.

bSCAN version 1.0 or higher, compatible
with MS Windows OS: Windows XP and
Windows 7, for 32 and 64-bits processors.

STRIP CARRIER: standard supplied with
two plastic strip carries.

Software supplied with the bSCAN instrument on a CD-ROM with User’s Manual

FRONT SWITCHES AND INDICATORS:
Standard package contents:



On-Off switch with LED power-on
indicator

Manual scan push-button

Reset push-button for scan reset
operation.

Blue LED signaling BUSY state

Red LED signaling detector High
Voltage is On.
REAR CONNECTORS:

24V DC socket.

USB-type B connector

bSCAN scanner

Two sets of collimators: 1 mm and 3 mm
aperture

Two plastic Strip holders

One standard EU three-point power cord

Standard 100-240 Volts AC/DC power
converter

2 meters long standard USB cable

One NaI(Tl) scintillator detector with
photomultiplier. Typical crystal sizes of 1 x
1 in.
Other crystal sizes and/or detector types
(e.g. plastic for PET analysis) can be supplied upon request.
SHIELDING: Detector head providing
minimum 10 mm of lead (Pb) around the
detector
Detector

TYPE: NaI(Tl) scintillator detector with
integrated photomultiplier

DETECTABLE RADIATION:
Gammas and X-rays

DETECTOR CRYSTAL DIMENSIONS:
Typically 1x1 inches. Other sizes can be
delivered upon request.

TYPICAL ENERGY RESOLUTION: 7% to
8 % at 662 keV
Photons:

bSCAN software on a CD-ROM

User’s Manual
Optional
Desktop or Notebook PC running MS Windows
7, with 3 USB ports. Other specifics to be quoted.
Certifications

The device is CE compliant
CE
CERTIFIED
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and other countries.
Version 1.1, Date: Oct 2013. Printed in Belgium